Moringa oleifera and Valeriana officinalis as natural additives for broilers

Moringa oleifera and Valeriana officinalis are used in natural medicine with apparent beneficial health effects. This has drawn great interest towards these products, considering them as potential natural feed additives for poultry.

The following study was carried out with the purpose of demonstrating the effectiveness  of organic products based on Moringa oleifera and Valeriana officinalis, for their inclusion in broiler diets. With the aim of reducing the use of chemical products and in turn the costs of production.

 

 

Previous research has shown the great benefits and effects obtained from the use of Moringa oleifera.  On the other hand, in natural medicine the use of Valeriana officinalis has shown  that it can be a viable alternative for stress treatments in different animal species due to its sedative and relaxing properties. That is one of the main reasons for which it is used for birds under confinement.

 

 

 

The purpose for using this type of organic products is to create effective and economical alternatives for small producers dedicated to broiler breeding.

 

The study was carried out with a population of 50 Cobb500 line broiler birds, divided into sample groups of 25 birds for each dietary treatment. The total length of the experimental trial was 39 days.

Dietary treatments were carried out as follows:

• Control group → water-soluble vitamins, 4gr / 2 gallons of water were applied for 3 consecutive days, followed by 4 days of rest per week.
• Treatment group → Moringa oleifera powder (20gr) and 50 drops of valerian tincture in drinking water, distributed in two gallon drinkers daily during the whole duration of the study.

 

During the study birds had free access to water and food. They were supplied with Purina brand commercial starter concentrate(iniciarina, engordina), for the first 18 days and until the end of the fattening study.

 

 

With the obtained results, it was concluded that the use of Moringa oleifera and Valeriana officinalis as natural additives are viable and constitute an important alternative in broiler feeding.

 

Moringa oleifera is rich in protein (greater than 25%) and it has very little anti-nutritional elements. Therefore, it can be used for broiler feeding with good results.

Chickens consume it willingly thanks to its good palatability and pleasant taste.

And finally, due to its relaxing effects the use of Valeriana officinalis reduces stress levels in birds under confinement which results in improved consumption and use of feed without any side effects.

 

The most efficient broiler is the one that has the lowest feed conversion rate, the best growth rate and the ability to develop soundly on low-density, and lower-cost diets.

 

 

Source: Autonomous University of Nicaragua.  Evaluation of the effect of Moringa oleifera and Valeriana officinalis as natural additives in broilers from 0 to 6 weeks (2018).